EUROBAT welcomes the European Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility – batteries are at the very heart of the transition to low-emissions mobility

20 July 2016

(BRUSSELS, 20 July 2016) EUROBAT, the association representing European manufacturers of automotive, industrial and energy storage batteries, welcomes the European Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility published by the European Commission.

The Communication clearly points out the need to further decarbonise the EU transport sector, and recognises the key role that batteries will play in this transition. Hybridisation and electrification of cars and vans can create up to 1.1 million net jobs in Europe by 2030 and 2.4 million by 2050, with a 93% reduction in CO2 emissions from cars and vans, 85% in NOx and 73% in soot particles by 2050 (source: Fuelling Europes’s Future, 2015 study by the European Climate Foundation)

EUROBAT welcomes in particular the attention devoted to the international competitiveness of the European industry: we agree on the need to keep innovation and manufacturing in Europe in order to avoid a loss of leadership that would have a detrimental effect on jobs and growth. The battery industry in Europe has relevant potential for growth, having a stable and secure manufacturing base in Europe already installed. However, additional efforts are needed to optimise legislative, R&D and investment levels at every stage of the battery value chain.

Alfons Westgeest, Executive Director of EUROBAT, stated that “all battery technologies (lead, lithium, sodium and nickel) have extensive potential for improvement, as clearly shown in the recent EUROBAT e-mobility Battery R&D Roadmap 2030 . Start-stop technology is already delivering 5-10% CO2 savings, and new micro-hybrid batteries will further improve the performance of conventional and hybrid vehicles. EUROBAT members are also investing in the energy density, cost and lifetime of batteries for low and zero emissions vehicles, from hybrids to electric vehicles”.

EUROBAT observes that the deployment of additional funding for innovative zero and low emissions options and their deployment should be accompanied by R&I funding for existing battery technologies to further reduce the emissions of conventional and micro-hybrid cars, a target now clearly pointed out by the European Commission. Further efforts are needed to improve the market for low and zero emissions vehicles, with particular attention for public procurement, coherent tax incentives, deployment of electric charging points and enhanced public awareness.

Batteries can play an important role also for the decarbonisation of the energy sector, even if legislative barriers are still slowing down the deployment of energy storage : better integration of the transport and energy sectors is needed to fully take advantage of the possibilities offered by batteries, from energy storage to smart charging, from vehicle to home to vehicle to grid (source: EUROBAT 2016, Battery Energy Storage in the EU : Barriers, Opportunities, Services and Benefits)

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About EUROBAT: EUROBAT is the association for the European manufacturers automotive, industrial and energy storage batteries. EUROBAT has 53 members from across the continent comprising more than 90% of the automotive and industrial battery industry in Europe. The members and staff work with all stakeholders, such as battery users, governmental organisations and media, to develop new battery solutions in areas of hybrid and electro-mobility as well as grid flexibility and renewable energy storage.

For more information, please visit www.eurobat.org or contact the office in Brussels.